Geopolitics and National Security of Nepal

Abstract

Nepal's strategic position between two aspiring world powers, China and India, has made her a fulcrum of geopolitical competition, often shaping the national security landscape. Additionally, landlocked status and closeness to these aspiring world powers add layers of complexity, as we must navigate the juxtaposing ideologies, power dynamics, and security interests. Notwithstanding, Nepal endeavors for non-alignment; recent developments in Nepal’s political, economic, and security apparatus with the increased competition among the global powers are significant enough to create both challenges as well as opportunities. In this article, there is a review of work and development of a sound pathway to improve our understanding and foreign policy approach while examining patterns of geopolitical competition, security threats, and potential benefits, utilizing an interpretivist approach that includes case studies. This research contributes insights into the unique security challenges Nepal faces and offers strategic recommendations that may support more comprehensive policymaking. Rather than comparing Nepal with others with similar geopolitical apparatus, the focus is on the geopolitics. and national security issues of Nepal. This study implements an interpretivist lens to delve into the multifaceted relationship between national security and geopolitics. By analyzing diverse secondary sources, including scholarly articles and online newspapers, through qualitative content analysis, this research aims to uncover the subjective interpretations and contextual nuances that underpin this dynamic field.